Documentation details low-cost Windows 8.1 with Bing

[Scorpus]

Last week we heard that Microsoft may be planning a low-cost or free version of Windows 8.1 dubbed Windows 8.1 with Bing, designed to entice more Windows 7 users to upgrade, and provide OEMs with a way of reducing the costs of their devices.

New documentation for Windows 8.1 Update 1 has revealed what Windows 8.1 with Bing will consist of, and how Microsoft plans on positioning it. To start with, there's no mention of free upgrades for Windows 7 users, but it does state that Windows 8.1 with Bing will help OEMs "add Windows to low-cost devices while driving end user usage of Microsoft Services such as Bing and OneDrive."

How will it drive usage of Microsoft services? It appears the only confirmed major change will be that OEMs are forced into setting Bing as the default search engine in Internet Explorer. Currently manufacturers can switch the default search engine to whatever they like (for example a deal may be stuck to have Google the default), but this would be prohibited in Windows 8.1 with Bing.

What's less clear is whether OEMs will be able to install tools and applications that give access to services from Microsoft's rivals. It seems unlikely that Microsoft would allow Chrome to be installed and set as the default browser in Windows 8.1 with Bing installations, but doing so doesn't appear to be specifically prohibited, at least according to this short piece of info from the leaked documentation:

Windows 8.1 with Bing is similar to other editions of Windows and should be imaged, updated, and deployed the same as any other Windows edition. However, OEMs will not be able to change the default search engine with the SearchScopes unattend setting, Registry key, or 3rd party installation tools. When a user starts Internet Explorer, Bing is automatically set to the default Search Engine and will override any OEM-configured search provider. No other Internet Explorer defaults are changed.

The restrictions only apply to how OEMs must configure their devices; end users will be able to switch out Bing for another search engine in Internet Explorer if they like. Also, while there's mention that Windows 8.1 with Bing will be "low-cost", pricing wasn't mentioned, as is usually the case with OEM editions.

Windows 8.1 with Bing will likely be the operating system we'll see on sub $250 Windows devices in the coming months. With pressure from entry-level low-cost Chromebooks mounting, this new SKU will keep Windows and Microsoft well and truly in the game.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/55906-documentation-details-low-cost-windows-81-with-bing.html

 

[Kibaruk]

Wait for it... wait for it... I hear hate aproaching!

 

[Guest]

Dang, I see stupid got here before me!

 

[Kibaruk]

Dang, I see stupid got here before me!

The funny thing is... even when we actually know nothing about this supposed to be free or low cost version of windows, people will speculate ways to hate microsoft!

I'm all in for lower costs, let's see how before we hate.

 

[Seventh Reign]

Dang, I see stupid got here before me!

The funny thing is... even when we actually know nothing about this supposed to be free or low cost version of windows, people will speculate ways to hate microsoft!

I'm all in for lower costs, let's see how before we hate.

I think the main problem is that 'Free' is not low enough of a price to use Windows 8. They couldnt pay me enough to use that atrocity.

 

[Vrmithrax]

I've got more of an observation that full-on hate... Don't their legal teams have any kind of memory, or pay attention to the history of their own company? Anyone remember Microsoft getting mowed down with anti-trust lawsuits because they gave their Internet Explorer preferential treatment? This move seems like an open invitation to get slammed back into court again.

Of course, the landscape has changed a bit since those days. With an actual browser based OS built by a search engine company in the mix, things get muddy really fast! Heh.

 

[tipstir]

No hate for any OS just you like what what you use and then they change it to make it prettier than it was. Of course with all new OS something that works gets messed up in the new changes. Windows 8.1 Pro and Chrome Shockwave has issues. Got to work and then bang again. Faulty dlls. Hopefully someone will figure out the answer on their end. Out goes Windows 8.1 Pro box blew off the dust off the Windows 7 Ultimate 64 put in back into action. Run the Same game Under Chrome no issues. I'll just stick that box to HDTV and run Media Center on it as Network Media Player. Sure there are other browser they work okay. Just Chrome and Shockwave on 8.1 blues..

 

[Timonius]

I wonder if this will involve some kind of ad revenue business model. Are we going to need an 'adblock plus' for the entire os?

 

[Teko03]

I thought this article was going to reveal that there would be no local storage and OneDrive would be the only way to save data --- but that would mean you would be getting Bingled.

 

[gamoniac]

I've got more of an observation that full-on hate... Don't their legal teams have any kind of memory, or pay attention to the history of their own company? Anyone remember Microsoft getting mowed down with anti-trust lawsuits because they gave their Internet Explorer preferential treatment? This move seems like an open invitation to get slammed back into court again.

Of course, the landscape has changed a bit since those days. With an actual browser based OS built by a search engine company in the mix, things get muddy really fast! Heh.

The landscape has most definitely changed. Members of GMS (Google Mobile Service) alliance are hand-tied about what they can and cannot do to a much greater extent, but Google is able to do so without the repercussion that MS went through. Looking back, it does sound like unfair treatment.

I often wonder, since Android tablets come with the default browser that uses Google, do European Android users get prompted to choose among a list of search engines on first use? (EU penalized MS for failing to do so.)

 

[Railman]

Dang, I see stupid got here before me!

The funny thing is... even when we actually know nothing about this supposed to be free or low cost version of windows, people will speculate ways to hate microsoft!

I'm all in for lower costs, let's see how before we hate.

I have to agree with you. People do seem rather anxious to put down MS before the product is released and there is little information.

 

[Raoul Duke]

I think the main problem is that 'Free' is not low enough of a price to use Windows 8. They couldnt pay me enough to use that atrocity.

free is not low enough was my first thought also, if they paid me though.......

 

[Guest]

"a deal may be stuck to have Google the default"

is the deal STUCK or may be STRUCK?

Nice proofreading AGAIN Techsput.

 

[mailpup]

My irony detector just came to life.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Curious to see how this turns out.

 

[Polaco]

I've got more of an observation that full-on hate... Don't their legal teams have any kind of memory, or pay attention to the history of their own company? Anyone remember Microsoft getting mowed down with anti-trust lawsuits because they gave their Internet Explorer preferential treatment? This move seems like an open invitation to get slammed back into court again.

Of course, the landscape has changed a bit since those days. With an actual browser based OS built by a search engine company in the mix, things get muddy really fast! Heh.

Yes they could be slammed in court again, however I havent seen google being slammed due to installing only chrome and giving preferal threatment to their apps in tablets and phones. Also can see how this could be used as something against Microsoft when Google is selling Chromebooks a device completetly tied to Google's platform. So it would be unfair that Microsoft get slammed again I mean, at least Google should be slammed too.

 

[Vrmithrax]

Yes they could be slammed in court again, however I havent seen google being slammed due to installing only chrome and giving preferal threatment to their apps in tablets and phones. Also can see how this could be used as something against Microsoft when Google is selling Chromebooks a device completetly tied to Google's platform. So it would be unfair that Microsoft get slammed again I mean, at least Google should be slammed too.

Ah, but there is one HUGE difference... Chrome OS is free. Microsoft's business model relies on selling Windows (and it sells it at a premium). Even though they are both operating systems, a paid product falls under different guidelines when looking at anti-competitive practices.